I've had 3 short term policies in a row. Can each new effective date deny a preexisting condition?

Question

I now need a tonsillectomy that was diagnosed in my first short term coverage. I'm told it is now a non-covered pre-exisiting condition as to my current third short-term policy. All policies have been continuous.

Answer 1

A short-term medical policy expires at the end of the term for which it was written. When you "renew" a short-term medical policy, you are actually applying for it again, having to requalify in regards to your health.

When you begin a new "term" your pre-existing conditions will not be covered.

Answer 2

Yes, its possible that they could deny it as a pre-existing condition.  How far back does your continuous coverage go?  (I'm guessing that each of the "short term" policies might have lasted about 6 months, since that was the length of a short term policy at the insurer I used to work for.)

There should be a specified period of time on your policy as far as how much "continuous coverage" you need to not be subject to pre-existing conditions.  (The standard is often 18 months, but you can ask your insurer for the specifics on your policy.)  If you don't have enough continuous coverage, then they can still consider your claims pre-existing.

Here's the real question...why in the world do you keep taking out consecutive short term policies?  You're leaving yourself open to all kinds of problems by doing that.  Too late now, but you would have been better off getting underwritten for a "regular" policy, then just canceling it down the road.  Short term policies aren't a good deal if you're just going to keep taking them out - if you develop a serious medical condition while on a short term policy, you'll be stuck.  They certainly won't write you another policy.

Answer 3

Yes, they can.  It's only GROUP policies that are required to accept pre-existing conditions.

Answer 4

Yes, all short term policies have pre-existing clauses and will not cover the condition, even if you've had continuous coverage with the same company.